Means for handling laundry



March 17, 1931. c, o. REEPS umns FOR HANDLING 1mm IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS Patented Mar. 17, 1931 hlhiiilED ST CHAR-LES 0. REEPS OF CHZCAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE PROSPERITY COMPANY INC 01 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A GORIORATION OF NEW YORK MEANS FOR HANDLING LAUNDRY Application filed July 3, 1926, Serial No.

This invention has for its object a method of handling laundry after it is washed. and while it is going through the ironing or pressing operations by which method the 5 articles of any one batch of laundry are kept from becoming lost or mixed with another batch of laundry, and it further has for its object an apparatus by which the method is carried out. It particularly has for its object a method and apparatus of handling fiat work to be done on pressing machines instead of flat work roller ironers.

The invention consists in the steps and in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine used in carrying out my method and embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view 2 thereof showing the spindle with the work wound thereon.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the ironing or pressing machine and the support on which the articles are classified after being taken from the spindle and pressed.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the handling and routing of laundry in commercial laundries without attaching tags, etc., is a serious problem and even with tags the articles require sorting and the loss of articles or the mixing of the articles of one batch with another is a constant source of annoyance.

By my invention, each batch of laundry is handled in bulk. It is particularly applicable for fiat work ironing being done on pressing machines instead of so called flat work ironers.

This method of handling laundry consists of winding or arranging the articles of a batch of laundry on a spindle, thereafter removing the articles one by one from the spindle by unwinding them from the spindle 50 and ironing or pressing such articles as they 120,344. Renewed August 24, 1929.

are taken from the spindle so that when all of the articles are unwound from the spindle and pressed, the particular batch of laundry is ready to be bundled up and labeled or delivered.

In the drawing, 1 designates the spindle on which the articles of at batch of laundry are wound one on the other, these articles being wound thereon afterthey have been washed and dried or partially dried.

2 is the ironing or pressing machine consisting of a suitable frame 3, a buck l mounted on the frame, a head movable to ward and from the buck and supported by a yoke or lever 6 pivoted at 7 to the frame and means for actuating the head 5. The actuating mechanism for the head 5 forms no part of this invention and any well known actuating mechanism may be used.

The machine 2 is provided with means for supporting the spindle l with a batch of laundry 8 wound thereon so that it will readily turn when the articles are being unwound or pulled from the spindle. As here shown, the machine is formed with suitable brackets 9 which have bearings 10 open at their upper sides for receiving the spindle 1, these bearings being spaced apart so that they engage the ends of the spindle where there are no articles.

The spindle support is located in the rear of the buck a so that the operator reaches over the buck, takes a hold of and pulls on an article thereon thereby turning the spindle and unwinding the article there from. The article is then pressed in the pressing machine and laid on the table 11. These spindles may carry a suitable designating number and this number may correspond to a number given to another part or section of the same batch of the laundry so that the two or more sections of one batch bearing the same number can be readily brought together.

The laundry while on the spindle is a more or less haphazard miscellaneous assortment as unwound piece by piece in any order it happens to come. It is grouped or classified piece by piece on the table 11 after (MT in:

being pressed. For instance the articles when being taken one by one from the spindle, come off the spindle in no particular order. Assuming that the articles of laundry are classified, as for instance, underwear, stockings and socks, table linen, handkerchiefs etc.. a iece of underwear ma come off the spindle first and after belng pressed W1ll be lald on the table 111 one location, the next article may be socks, they will be'placed in another pile, the next article may be anotherpiece of underwear, the

next ones handkerchiefs, etc. But in each case the operator places them in their own particular pile on the table 11.

Obviously, by my invention, the handling of laundry and the finishing of it on pressing machines is greatly facilitated as it is practically impossible for the articles ofone batch of laundry to become lost or mixed with the articles of another batch.

What I' claimis:

l. The combination with a pressing machine comprising a frame and cooperating pressing elements carried by the frame, of a spindle on which a miscellaneous assortment of laundry may be wound, the frame having means for rotatably supporting the spindle. p

2. The combination. with a pressing machine including a frame, a buck mounted on the frame, a head movable toward and from the buck, of a spindle on which the laundry "may be Wound and means on the frame in the rear of the buck for rotatably carrying the spindle.

a In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of-New York, this 1st day of June, 1926.

- CHARLES'O. KEEPS. 

